Hi guys.I was wandering which is the best way to back up avi,divx,etc on dvd.Should I back up them as they are or is it wiser to convert them to dvd form and then back up them?I mean if I am afraid of a cyclic redundancy error and losing everything :-(
Originally posted by Rotary: grab the infamous app called ConvertXtoDVD, awesome easy to use program that will sort the files mentioned... to dvd files ready for burning
converting depends on what standalone player you use? does it play avi or only dvd format discs?
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or do you mean you just want to keep the files as is and have a backup on dvdr's? if so i would use nero...
choice of dvdr to backup too is "VERY IMPORTANT" cheap media will degrade after time, so get decent media like TY / VERBS etc...
I am not just asking for a way to play my files on a stand alone driver and watch them in my living room.I have a hell lot of avi files(more than 200 Gb) and I want to make sure that I'll have them forever.I could just burn data dvd's with nero,but is it safe?I mean I used to back up mp3 files this way and after a while I would get a "cyclic redundancy error" and couldn't transfer them on my hard disc or play them!I know about ConvertXtoDVD and it's great but it would take me a hell lot of time to convert my avi files to dvd...If this is the only way to keep them safe then I am willing to go all the way!
I agree with UGC--- A 500GB hard drive can be found for around $100 US, with an enclosure to be found for $20 if you want external.
Maybe setup a RAID array to automatically backup data with an internal, or just manually save whatever to an external. Choices are endless.
@gionaxos: it sounds like you want to preserve your files. I recommend what Deadrum33 said. Get an external HDD (get 2 or more) and either run a RAID or make a batch file that automatically copies your files to the exHDD every week. Don't be cheap! Make sure you have atleast two backup copies of your fileset. Might as well keep them as .avi if you don't need them in another format. Personally, VirtualDub is kick@$$ at batch conversions. If you ever wanted to change format & keep quality, use VD or MP4cam2avi or another program that can do batches.
but remember if you're going to convert your files, always do so on the backup copy. Not the originals. I learned this lesson the hard way LOL
